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Legal authority
The One UN Programme builds on key components of the UN Development Assistance Framework 2006 – 2010, Country Programme Documents (CPDs) and Country Programme Action Plans (CPAPs) (2006 – 2010) agreed for UNICEF, UNDP and UNFPA in 2006. WHO and UNHCR as participating agencies work through the Country Operations Plan (COP) covering the period 2007 – 2008.

The Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA) concluded between the Government and UNICEF dated 23 July 1993 provides the basis of the relationship between the Government and UNICEF. The Government and UNDP entered into the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement (SBAA), signed on 17 June 1991, which governs UNDP assistance to the country and which applies, mutatis mutandis to UNFPA and UNIFEM. The UNHCR Branch Office Agreement (BOA) with the Government was signed and ratified by the Albanian Parliament on 22 June 1994. The Basic Cooperation Agreement (BCA) between the Government and WHO was signed in September 2005 and provides the legal frame for collaboration.

The One UN Programme is agreed jointly by the Government and participating Agencies. The One UN Programme together with the Annual Work Plan constitute the project document and plan of operations as referred to in the SBAA, BOA and BCA, except where traditional project documents are required by financing partners, and /or annual work plans are required by the participating agencies. Other existing agreements with the government such as cost-sharing agreements for current projects and programmes will not be affected.

Management practices
The establishment of common management practices is key to the success of UN reform efforts and the implementation of the One UN Programme, and perhaps the most complicated task within the overall One UN initiative. Furthermore, it is incumbent on the UN to better align its systems and practices with those of the Government in order to reduce transaction costs for Government counterparts and key partners (in line with the Paris Declaration). Common management practices apply to a broad range of issues: harmonization of reporting formats, common cost norms, cash transfer modalities, training, contracting and recruitment, and project and programme management methodologies. The UN in Albania has already made progress in establishing common services in travel, banking, health services and security.

By the end of the programming cycle (2010) the following UN operational practices will be harmonized among agencies participating in the One UN initiative: joint narrative and financial reporting to Government and Donors; Travel and banking facilities for UN Albania; Security arrangements; Medical services; Joint UN Procurement Plan for Operations and Programme; Long-term agreements for translation, editing, workshops; and Procurement of fuel, vehicle maintenance and IT equipment.

In addition to all operations practices, all efforts will be made to ensure coordination of the following cross-cutting practices: joint missions, evaluations, communications and resource mobilization.

The UN in Albania will work closely with the other One UN pilot countries in the harmonization of management practices, which may be adapted to other countries. This would avoid the potential for duplication of effort.

Administration
UNDP functions as the One UN Administrative Agent, and as such is responsible for the day-to-day financial administration of the One UN Coherence Fund: that is, managing contributions from donors, disbursements, accounting, maintaining supporting systems, and audit. In addition, the Administrative Agent compiles financial and narrative reports from participating agencies and submits them to the Resident Coordinator for dissemination to partners.
 

Relevant documents:

Signed memorandum of understanding between participating UN Agencies and UNDP regarding operational aspects of the One UN Coherence Fund for Albania - ENG - November 2007